Italian food and beverage company Toschi Vignola, which is participating in Seatrade Cruise Global F&B@Sea for the first time, sees the cruise segment as a key growth segment for its portfolio of brands. In support of this growth strategy, Toschi Vignola has announced the start of a collaboration with Deborah Golden, a leading consultant in the international cruise industry and founder of Golden and Company.
“The cruise segment represents a natural evolution of Toschi Vignola’s international growth strategy. Cruise ships are true hospitality ecosystems, where mixology, pastry, gelato, and fine dining coexist at the highest level, offering brands the opportunity to engage with a global audience that values quality and experience,” Stefano Toschi, CEO, tells TMI.
“Today, cruise lines are increasingly investing in the premiumization of their offerings, in Italian lifestyle concepts, and in distinctive beverage and dessert programs—an environment that perfectly aligns with our identity as a historic family-owned company founded in 1945, capable of combining tradition and innovation.
“Entering the cruise industry means bringing authentic Toschi Made in Italy into a high-profile international environment, where storytelling, quality, and operational performance are central elements.”
Founded in 1945 in Vignola by brothers Giancarlo and Lanfranco Toschi, the company originated with cherries preserved in spirits. Today, Toschi exports to more than 80 countries a product range spanning from the iconic candied Amarena cherries in syrup to toppings, from syrups to traditional liqueurs such as Nocino di Modena, Lemoncello and Fragolì, as well as the Zero+ line with no added sugar.
Toschi’s strength lies in its versatility across both food and beverage, says Toschi.
“Toschi Amarena cherries are a classic and iconic garnish in mixology, as well as a distinctive ingredient in pastry and gelato. Our professional syrups—available in over 50 flavors—are designed for demanding bartenders and baristas: high fruit content, no artificial flavors, and excellent performance in mixing.
“These are complemented by liqueurs such as Dubai Inspired Chocolate Liqueur, Nocino di Modena, Nocello, Fragolì, and Lemoncello, ideal both for neat or on-the-rocks service and for contemporary mixology.
“In the cruise environment, reliability, consistent quality, and storytelling are essential—and Toschi fully meets these needs.”
Toschi already has a strong presence in the Americas, and is present in more than 85 countries across four continents, with exports accounting for over 50% of total revenue. The United States is a strategic market for the company, says Toschi.
“In the U.S., Toschi Amarena cherries are widely recognized in the beverage world as a premium garnish, especially in the craft mixology segment and in high-end hospitality. In the food world, they are appreciated for their versatility in pairings with cheeses, meats, and desserts. They are distributed in more than 40 states, with a strong presence in deli and grocery stores,” he says.
“Liqueurs and syrups are also distributed across several markets throughout North and South America, where authentic Made in Italy products are especially valued. In the U.S., liqueurs such as the iconic Lemoncello and Nocello, and soon also Dubai Inspired Chocolate Liqueur, are available in liquor stores in more than 25 states.”
Among Toschi’s objectives for 2026 is entering the cruise sector, a key segment due to its global vocation and the growing focus on quality and distinctiveness in onboard food & beverage offerings. Toschi’s strong brand recognition in the U.S. will help with its expansion into cruise, says Toschi.
“The goal is to strengthen our positioning in the cruise and travel retail segments in the Americas, building a structured and long-term presence,” says Toschi.
“Thanks to Deborah Golden’s extensive industry knowledge, experience, and network, we are able to engage with key decision-makers in the sector in a targeted and professional way, increasing both visibility and distribution.”
Collaboration with Deborah Golden
A globally recognized professional, Deborah Golden brings extensive experience in creating
innovative and successful beverage programs for the cruise sector, including Royal Caribbean’s VINTAGES Wine Bar and the BACARDI Cruise Competition. Through her consultancy work, she supports premium brands in developing effective strategies to enter and grow within the highly competitive cruise market.
“Toschi Vignola’s product portfolio is exceptionally well suited to meet the demands of cruise ship food and beverage operations, delivering consistency, versatility, and premium quality,” says Golden. “From the iconic Toschi Amarena cherries, a cross-category ingredient for desserts, cocktails and gelato, to the Dubai inspired Chocolate Cream Liqueur, Toschi elevates onboard indulgence across venues. The extensive syrup range supports high-volume mixology and specialty beverages, while the Drink Zero+ line responds to growing wellness-related needs and dietary preferences. All of this is complemented by classic Italian liqueurs such as Lemoncello, Nocello and Fragolì, offering cruise operators a complete and coherent solution capable of enriching the guest experience from poolside bars to fine dining.”
At F&B@Sea, Toschi will give fill visibility to it key beverage lines: syrups and liqueurs.
“We will highlight both signature and innovative flavors for mixology and coffee applications, alongside our traditional liqueurs, to demonstrate how Toschi ingredients can enhance cocktail lists and beverage programs on board cruise ships, with the added value of authentic Made in Italy,” says Toschi.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to taste our iconic Dubai Inspired Chocolate Liqueur and to enjoy a selection of cocktails—of course garnished with Toschi Amarena cherries—that our bartender will prepare exclusively for the show’s guests.”
Exhibiting for the first time at the show, Toschi Vignola’s Dubai Inspired Chocolate has been named a finalist at the F&B@Sea Awards 2026 in the Beverage Innovation category.
“It’s a great honor to be named finalists for an award that celebrates creativity and innovation in beverage and recognizes products that elevate the onboard guest experience,” says Toschi. “This recognition highlights the importance of continuing to innovate while staying true to quality, tradition, and global trends. Cruise guests are highly focused on the onboard experience, and Toschi brings a modern, distinctive Made in Italy touch to it.”
